Editor's note: This classic article focuses on data-driven DSS.
Author's note: This article was written at a time when the concept of a decisional data store -- call it a warehouse, a mart or a reporting system -- separate from transactional applications was itself a hotly-debated topic. The idea of legible schema in that data store -- schema that could be directly navigated by decision-makers -- was in some circles absolute anathema. Since 1994, when the first version of this article was circulating, legible schema and in particular dimensional (star and star-like) schema have become commmon practice in the industry. Interestingly enough, the combination of (a) algorithmically-intensive analytical applications as an alternative to simple query and reporting tools, combined with (b) composite transactional applications and (c) the increasing demand for "near real-time" access to information are working, in my view, to overturn dimensional schema as the norm in data-driven DSS. It is not absurd to imagine that, in another decade, we will look at "legible schema" as an interesting historical artifact of a time when we could imagine nothing more sophisticated at the fingertips of decision-makers than an Excel spreadsheet or a copy of Business Objects.
Data legibility -- knowledge workers' ability to understand fully and immediately the data contained in a decision-support system (DSS) -- is the single most difficult problem in client/server DSS design. To be effective, DSS environments must provide readable, clear, and navigable data to the knowledge worker or end user. Also, the data must present itself in a fashion consistent with knowledge workers' business models, and must promote swift and simple formulation of business questions consistent with knowledge workers' goals.
Organizations interested in DSSs, but not familiar with the problem of data legibility, typically employ replication or consolidation strategies to build their initial systems. Because these strategies do not take data legibility into account, the DSS environments are usually significantly less useful to knowledge workers than they should be. Conversely, organizations interested in DSSs, and familiar with the problem of data legibility, typically employ reschematization or aliasing strategies to rebuild production data into DSS data, which produces significant, strategic DSS environments.
The choice of a data legibility strategy -- reschematization or aliasing -- has a number of DSS performance implications and depends on a combination of factors, including the skill level, scope of operations, and business requirements of the knowledge worker community; the corporate strategy with respect to software development; and the cost model and constraints associated with the DSS project itself. But first, let's take a look at why data legibility is important in the workplace.
To build a DSS environment that connects knowledge workers directly to the corporate data they need in order to make effective, informed, and comprehensive business decisions, the DSS data on which knowledge workers operate must be legible; that is, it must be easily understood, assimilated, and manipulated. Because data retrieval from the DSS data store is just the beginning of a complex decision-making process, misassumptions or misinterpretations of the DSS data caused by legibility problems will always result in flawed or misdirected decisions.
Knowledge workers can immediately and intuitively recognize legible data as either a business object (invoice number, employee ID, customer, and so forth), a component of a business model employed by the knowledge worker in the decision-making process (markets or products, for example), or a dimension of time (day, week, month, quarter, or year). You can intuitively recognize the words on this page without consulting a dictionary or asking a coworker for help; legible data should be equally as obvious. It is there for knowledge workers to seize and use.
Unfortunately, the data from OLTP and other production systems drives most initial DSS implementations. Computer processes serving data-entry personnel enter this production data, which is then stored in systems that are designed and maintained by DBAs and system programmers. While the data in these production systems is no doubt legible from the DBA's perspective, it is usually illegible from a nontechnical knowledge worker's perspective. This illegibility has implications for data delivery, the DSS data store, and the client applications accessing the data warehouse or data store.
An initial access surge occurs immediately after the warehouse or store is opened for use.
Almost immediately thereafter, use drops off dramatically. After a few weeks, only a handful of users continue to use the DSS.
Subsequent interviews reveal that a select group of technically inclined end users in the original target end-user community perform all the query and reporting work against the warehouse or store, for both themselves and other users.
This trend is easy to understand. Most end users cannot understand the data they have been given because it is illegible. There may be hundreds of tables, each with cryptic names, containing thousands of equally cryptic columns. Data, such as dates, which should be commonly understood, appear as strings of apparently random numbers (dates may be stored in an M4DATE format appropriate for OLTP transaction-level data). And finally, assuming the end users understand the concepts of joins and foreign keys, multiple join paths seem to exist between any set of tables, suggesting multiple ways of asking the same question.
Despite these deficiences, IS professionals persist in delivering data to end users in the form of normalized schemas with cryptic data sets and multiple complex join paths. In many cases, this situation exists because data normalization is a bedrock IS process -- the foundation on which data integrity in the enterprise is based.
Several tables. The goal of schema normalization is to separate independent bits of information into logical units (columns and tables) that roughly map to entities such as customer or shipper, or to attributes (or characteristics) of those entities. It is common, in complex activities such as manufacturing, to find databases with more than 1000 tables.
Multiple join paths between any set of tables. Because of the sheer number of tables, answering simple business questions such as, "Which customers in the European community purchased goods in excess of $10,000 or 50 units during the first quarters of 1990, 1991, and 1992?" presents a significant obstacle to the business user. Even if users can determine which of the 1000 tables may contain parts of the answer, they must determine how to join those tables. Unfortunately, the tables share multiple keys and can be joined in several different ways. Worst of all, users discover that the answer to the business questions differs substantially depending on which keys they use and the order in which the tables are joined. Also, the user has no tools to determine which possible answer is correct.
Cryptic naming conventions and data formats. As trivial as it may seem, one of the primary reasons why business users cannot read normalized schema is that normalization encourages cryptic, shorthand naming conventions for columns and tables. These naming conventions often require a glossary for translation into end-user terms. While such naming conventions may be useful for OLTP applications, they are not useful for DSS applications. When OLTP applications privy to naming conventions access the database, end users do not see table or column names, and problems do not arise.
In addition, normalized schemas store data in illegible forms. Dates, for example, are commonly stored as a long number representing "the number of days since April 1, 1971" or some mathematical construct. While a computer program can calculate the date very nicely from this number, a human user can make little sense of it.
All these characteristics support data integrity, which is perfectly appropriate for OLTP environments. However, none supports data legibility, which works against the DSS environment's business goals. Business analysts are resolutely nontechnical; most do not understand the concepts of joins, foreign keys, or primary keys, nor do they understand the design principles (that is, normalization) behind the data capture process. Finally, business analysts pursue nonlinear, heuristic, and sometimes wholly intuitive avenues of analysis and discovery, using tools designed to support these interrogations. Unfortunately, these discovery processes can be misinterpreted and their value lost when the data does not cooperate.
Normalization supports the DBA's agenda and the company's goal of data integrity within the data-capture process and the OLTP environment. But it utlimately results in an expensive DSS that does not support corporate decision making, and is not used by the majority of business analysts because they cannot understand the system's information, and therefore cannot construct basic business questions.
Reschematization. Decision-support data is extracted from one or more normalized schemas into another denormalized schema designed to end-user specifications, and supporting the business model of the people asking the business questions.
Aliasing. Using one or more of the technologies described later, a data "model" approximating the business analysts' business models is interposed between the business analysts and a data set. This model typically remains highly normalized and illegible.
Both strategies offer the potential for legible data. The choice of approach is or should be, based on the business goals of the DSS system itself, the stated and derived needs of the analyst communities, the organization's strategic IT directions, and a simple cost/benefit analysis of the two strategies applied to the given situation.
DSS architects committed to reschematization as a data-legibility strategy typically have four common characteristics. First, they understand their end users' business models and decision-making processes, and are committed to implementing DSS environments supporting those models and processes. Second, they are committed to enabling the personal productivity tools already on knowledge workers' desktops, and buying commercial off-the-shelf technology rather than hand-coding DSS environments. Third, they are interested in client/server computing as a next-generation business-automation strategy. And fourth, they are interested in harnessing the relative power of the server to bear most of the data-legibility burden.
Furthermore, DSS architects committed to data reschematization understand that a database schema can be used as a powerful tool to alleviate the already excessive processing burden on client workstations. The database schema can also eliminate the need to write and maintain custom client/server software, and is able to maintain an optimal degree of flexibility with respect to knowledge worker's changing information requirements. Focusing on the design of the DSS's database can result in all of these benefits.
You can align database schemas somewhere along the spectrum shown below.
Typically, most OLTP schemas are normalized to third normal form; the fourth and fifth normal forms are difficult to design and typically unnecessary for meeting commercial data-integrity requirements. The vast majority of decision-support schemas, which are implemented in spreadsheets on individual knowledge workers' desktops, are single-table schemas (that is, big wide tables [BWTs] custom-built by the knowledge worker, usually by reentering data into the spreadsheet application or into a ten-cent PC database like Microsoft Access from one or more IS reports).
After working with a generation of spreadsheet and PC LAN flat-file database managers, business analysts understand and use BWT schemas daily. Although you can theoretically obtain a BWT schema from any normalized schema in one operation (called a full outer join), BWT schemas are impractical in large-scale decision-support applications because they are so big: The resultant table is too wide (sometimes containing hundreds of columns) and too long (often in the hundreds of millions of rows) to be directly navigable.
In addition, BWT schemas are inefficient in two dimensions: They do not use disk space efficiently and cannot be processed efficiently at query time when the data set is more than a few megabytes in size. As such, DSSs have, over the years, developed decision-support schema models that maintain the required legibility levels, but are closer to normal form schemas than BWT schemas. Two of these prototypical schemas -- the data cube and the data list -- are worth exploring to understand how decision-support schemas can support the question-building process underlying a DSS.
Analysts are always after facts and statistics, such as units sold, dollars in revenue generated, and so forth.
Analysts always approach facts through business dimensions; for example, the business's products or services, the business's target markets, and the channels through which products or services reach these markets.
Time is always important to business analysts.
Thus, a data cube supporting a drug store chain's marketing department would look similarly to the diagram below.
The Sales table in this example contains all the business facts: units sold, dollars sold, payment method, and so forth. All the remaining tables are key business dimensions that are typically organized to reflect the natural organization of those dimensions. For example, suppliers provide products to the company for sale in the retail stores, while stores are typically organized into regions, each of which is made up of districts with more than one store. Therefore, the dimensions reflect the knowledge worker's model of that dimension -- the way the people asking the business questions perceive the business.
The data cube is admirably suited to several common question-building models, including the progressive refinement model, in which a question begins simply. "Tell me which stores sold suntan lotion," and ultimately reaches the desired level of specificity and complexity: "Tell me which stores in Southern California sold more than 1000 units of the Delta Products Number 2 suntan lotion supplied by Acme Distributors during the months of November and December"; and the cross-temporal model in which a question involves multiple points in time? "How is suntain lotion selling in Montana now versus this time last year and the year before that?"
In addition, the data cube promotes high levels of legibility within the data itself. For example, dates within the Time table are always organized into a clear and immediately legible hierarchy of time, in which years are divided into quarters, which are subdivided into months, weeks, and days. The column names of the Time table are year, quarter, month, week, and day. Moreover, there is one -- and only one -- obvious join path to retrieve data from the Fact table; no mistakes are possible. Some DSS technologies designed for the data-cube schema do not require that joins be specified to process queries.
Intellectually, the data cube, or "star schema," has several important antecedents. In fact, the first examples of "normalized" schemas defined by Codd and Date in their groundbreaking normalization work were data-cube schemas. Only later did the normalization discipline begin to produce complex normalized schemas with hundreds of tables and multiple join paths.
Database design experts at IBM, Metaphor, and other DSS technology leaders have worked for years with variations of the data-cube schemas; although they often call these structures multidimensional databases, multikey files, or grid files. In addition, PC software vendors such as Sinper Corp., Lotus Development Corp., and Occam Research Corp. have been working for years on multidimensional spreadsheet technology embodying the concepts underlying the data-cube schema. Today, the data-cube schema is one of the best practical methods for implementing legible DSSs.
Like the data cube, the data list is based on a set of fundamental ideas about how end users process information. But unlike data cubes, which assume a set of facts and a set of dimensions to drill into those facts, the data list recognizes that 1) some of the work that analysts do is within one or two dimensions, and 2) some DSSs support a business model in which only two important objects exist: customers and transactions.
A data-list schema supporting the marketing department at a mail-order catalog house would look similar to the figure below.
All relevant customer information -- name, address, zip code, credit limits, and so forth -- is stored in a relatively static Customer table, while all the information about sales -- product sold, quantity, cost, shipment method, and so forth -- is stored in a relatively dynamic Sales table. There is one join path, which is probably facilitated by a common key such as customer ID.
Because data lists reflect a basic understanding of the knowledge worker's business models, they are particularly well-suited for some DSS environments. For this reason, retail sales DSS designers and DSS architects in telecommunications companies frequently employ data-list schema.
Reschematization avoids the problems associated with normalized schemas, and embeds data legibility into the DSS data store itself. Instead of designing the schema to support a technical goal such as data integrity, legible schemas embody (and therefore enforce) the business models already in use within end-user communities. This makes the data immediately legible to knowledge workes. Therefore, knowledge workers can use the data schema to frame and clarify their questions to ensure that the answers they retrieve are the only possible answers. In turn, this immediate legibility lets knowledge workers use commercial off-the-shelf client tools to access and analyze the data.
Reschematization involves more design work than does replicating normalized schemas, and requires that data destined for DSSs be reengineered as it moves from the production systems capturing the data to the decision-support store. As such, the data-extraction process becomes more complex as columns of data are reorganized, transformed, and eliminated from production source data.
Reschematization in many IS organizations also requires that data architects and DBAs put aside their training in normalization techniques and return to more business model- and user-oriented database design techniques. In addition, off-setting the relatively higher costs of data extraction, reschematized data forces the cost of client/server connectivity to its lowest possible point by enabling organizations to purchase, rather than build, their client/server connectivity options.
Reschematization sets out to make data immediately legible to end users. Aliasing strategies interpose, between data and end users, one or more "models" that translate or map between end-user business models and data that may be completely illegible to decision makers, as shown below.
For this reason, aliasing is sometimes called model-based DSS, while reschematization is referred to as data-based DSS.
They may or may not understand their end users' business models.
They are committed to implementing DSS environments that support IS guidelines regarding normalization.
They have access to substantial programming resources or sophisticated design tools in order to build the decision-support model software.
They work in IS organizations committed to building custom client applications for DSSs.
They are interested in client/server computing as a next-generation business automation strategy but will continue to support host-based, terminal-oriented decision support.
They support business models that can be coded into a DSS application without fear of frequent rewrites (because the business models are long-lived).
Furthermore, these DSS architects believe that database schemas are not the proper place to focus on database legibility, rather, they believe that an OLTP design model is appropriate for DSSs. They also feel that the cost of data reengineering implicit in reschematization is too high.
Aliasing strategies typically result in one of the application architectures illustrated below.
A client aliasing application provides a client-resident mapping between an end user's view of the data and that data itself. A server aliasing application divides the application architecture along identical lines, but places the mapping software on the server platform, with the data set rather than the end-user tools. Repository models adopt a three-tiered client/server architecture, placing the modeling application -- typically in the form of a metadata repository -- in a location distinct from either the end-user tools or the data sets on which the repository keeps metadata.
Client application aliasing strategies, supported by the explosion of PC-based rapid application development (RAD) tools, are by far the most common aliasing strategies. In a nutshell, these strategies call for an "intelligent" application that presents a visual (iconic or pictorial) representation of data that end users can manipulate. It can then generate SQL and retrieve data, based on the end user's path through the application. This kind of aliasing strategy is used typically in environments where the sophistication of the end user is a major concern, and where the available commercial off-the-shelf tools are considered sufficiently inadequate to warrant substantial in-house investment in application development. In the commercial software marketplace, products such as Business Objects from Business Objects Inc. have adopted this client application strategy by letting DBAs encapsulate SQL fragments and entire queries as commonly used business objects for end-user manipulation.
The DSS environment's goal is to provide end-user access to a "report catalog" in which reports are maintained on the server.
The problems associated with version control of client applications in large client/server environments (with more than 100 client workstations) is difficult and expensive.
The client workstation is not seen as reliable in terms of mean time between failure or general stability.
The modeling application uses next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) or expert-system technology, which requires central management and more processing power than a client workstation can provide. This technology also feeds on all the data in the DSS data store to answer business questions.
The model embedded in the modeling layer is seen as a shared resource and is therefore located on the server platform.
Holos from Holistic Systems Inc. and IDIS from Intelligence Ware Inc. are examples of top-flight commercial DSS applications that implement a server modeling application.
Organizations that have embarked on enterprise data-modeling activities, or are bent on giving end users direct access to production system data, typically turn to repositories to provide the aliasing and mapping functions for client applications. In this version of the aliasing architecture, client applications interact with a directory that, at the very least, contains instructions for locating each DSS data source on the network. The applications also interact with this directory when interpreting each DSS data source's system catalog. The client application then uses this information to represent the combination of several physical data sources as one data set to the end user, who can then "join" data sets from different physical databases.
In extremely sophisticated cases, the repository actually provides a nonstandard query language to allow client applications, which are still custom-coded, to interact with the repository. The repository then translates the client application request into a set of SQL queries to launch against multiple data sources.
While there are no full commercial examples of this technology, some companies have cobbled together their own working versions. Repository strategies generally require a well-established enterprise data architecture, an extreme amount of available network bandwidth, and sophisticated development tools that are not yet readily available in the commercial marketplace. They also often reinstate the original problem: query drain on production systems and applications.
Ideally, aliasing strategies allow for a finely tuned match between end users' business models and data sets that have not been reschematized for DSS. In practice, aliasing strategies have only been able to achieve the same level of legibility provided by reschematized data stores -- making the choice between reschematization and aliasing largely a matter of cost comparison over the average life of the DSS application.
The costs of aliasing obviously involve the development and maintenance of the software providing the aliasing function. These costs are well-understood and substantial. As such, the key question when evaluating aliasing strategies is how much value the application provides beyond simply mapping between the end user and data.
In some technical applications, such as AI or expert system-based decision support, server-based aliasing architectures have been instrumental in putting the resource-hungry AI and expert system engines at the disposal of business analysts. In business environments such as healthcare, where data is complex and associated with behavior, the growth of model-based DSS is natural and appropriate. Even healthcare-practice managers have difficulty comprehending the complexity of the relationships between healthcare providers, regulatory agencies, and clients, and require models to "remember" and present intuitively the nature of those relationships. In other environments, knowledge workers thoroughly understand their business models and are sufficiently skilled with their desktop tools to dispense with intermediate aliasing if the schema itself is legible.
Data legibility requires an architecture designed to produce easily assimilated data. Both reschematization and aliasing strategies offer approaches tro achieve data legibility, and have historically produced similar results, leaving the choice of strategy to be determined by comparative cost, as well as IS and corporate strategies.
Aside from repository-based aliasing strategies that are not yet commercially viable, the question of which data-legibility strategy to choose cannot be answered definitively on technical grounds. Simple replication and consolidation strategies do not provide data legibility, but the strategies providing legibility, including data reschematization, client application aliasing, and server application aliasing, are all technically feasible. As such, the strategic decision must be made based on business automation, cost, and performance criteria.
Reschematization strategies are more in line with organizations that are committed to the "buy side" of the buy-versus-build decision, as well as with those companies decreasing in-house application development and maintenance, and data-enabling their knowledge workers' personal and team productivity environments. Aliasing models are more in tune with organizations that favor building rather than buying. These companies have substantial in-house client/server software development and maintenance expertise, and believe that custom client applications will deliver substantial end-user value over commercially available substitutes.
In the long term, reschematization is preferable in terms of deployment and maintenance costs. If the connections between the production systems and the data warehouse are well-designed, and data reengineering is performed on the data store instead of the production system, reschematization delivers legible data while avoiding costs associated with application software development and maintenance.
Performance is not a characteristic of architectures; it is the result of an architecture's implementation in a system configuration. Because reschematization has a minimal number of software layers, it is likely to perform better than aliasing. However, the ultimate performance of the DSS environment depends on the system's server and DBMS components.
Last updated on 06-22-97 by Marc Demarest.
The text and illustrations in this article are copyright (c) 1994 by DBMS Magazine and Marc Demarest. Used with the permission of Marc Demarest.
A version of this paper appeared in DBMS Magazine in May of 1994 (v7, n5 p. 55). This article was the first systematic treatment of the concept of multi-dimensional schema (MDS), also known as data cubes or star schema, and the relationship between MDS design and large-scale decision support.
Although the concept of multi-dimensional schema design, and the architectural model of combining a single warehouse and multiple marts into an enterprise-wide decision support environment, are now taken for granted by most DSS architects and system builders, at the time the article was published, the concept of denormalization was extremely controversial. Only Ralph Kimball, of Ralph Kimball and Associates, and Red Brick Systems, were actively advocating for multi-dimensional, denormalized schema in DSS systems; the remainder of the industry was fixated on applying OLTP third-normal-form design disciplines to DSS schema design. The market has since shown the error of that position, and we are now inundated with special-purpose MDDBMS products (something that is probably not desirable, since conventional RDBMSs handle denormalized schema perfectly well).
Demarest, M., "Improving Data Legibility in Decision Support Systems", DSSResources.COM, 11/17/2006.
Marc Demarest provided permission to archive articles from the Noumenal website at DSSResources.COM on Friday, December 5, 2003 and he provided permission to archive and feature this specific article on September 21, 2006. This article is at Noumenal URL http://www.noumenal.com/marc/schema.html. This article was posted at DSSResources.COM on November 17, 2006.


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Q: groupdatamodel not taking in given order The problem i am facing is that the data listed in list view is in ascending order in BB10. I have read from blackberry site that group datamodel will display data either in desc or asc order.I really want them to be displayed in list view in the order they are in database.
Please help me.

A: If you have an id field in your database, you could use it to sort your items.
But I guess you shouldn't be using a GroupDataModel if you don't want to group your data (if you don't sort it, how can you group?). What you need is probably an ArrayDataModel, or your own DataModel subclass.

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Dancing with the Stars star is already turning heads.
Bet on for fate of Heather Mills' leg
An online gambling site is taking bets on whether Heather Mills' artificial leg will fall off during her upcoming appearance on "Dancing with the Stars."
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Mills will be paired with professional dancer Jonathan Roberts on the dance contest show. Other celebrities in the season starting March 19 include female boxer Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno.
Author BuckyPosted on August 29, 2016 Categories Celebs, News1 Comment on Dancing with the Stars star is already turning heads.
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Аріадна (печера) () — печера в Челябінській області Росії, на Південному Уралі. Печера вертикального типу простягання. Загальна протяжність — 131 м. Глибина печери становить 30 м. Категорія складності проходження ходів печери — 1.

Примітки

Література

Посилання

Печери Челябінської області

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Horror's "Worst" Films – Monster A-Go Go (1965)
This review is part of the Horror's "Worst" Films: Tasteless Entertainment or Endurance Test? series.
In 1963 exploitation director Herschell Gordon Lewis released Blood Feast, considered the first "splatter" film, a shocking milestone in horror. Two years later he needed a second film for his double-bill release with Moonshine Mountain, and he acquired a half-completed Bill Rebane film called Terror at Halfday which Rebane had abandoned in 1961 due to depleted finances. Lewis finished the film, recasting different actors to continue character roles and slapping it together as quickly as possible. One actor which he re-hired from the Rebane portion had changed his appearance so dramatically that he was recast as the brother of the original character. Lewis put minimal effort into completing the film, and it shows. Boy, does it show.
Firstly, the title is an absolute misnomer. The term "a Go-Go" refers to unrestrained, erotic dancing, particularly to popular music, and while there's a gratuitous dance scene, there is nothing unrestrained about this film. Monster A-Go Go (1965) is the nadir of such suggested dynamism. Instead we get an incoherent plot about a returning astronaut who is either replaced by or transformed into a tall skulking monster (Henry Hite).
Rebane's story was muddy at best, but Lewis's additions only served to confuse rather than clarify matters. The film mainly consists of static shots of people talking… and talking… and talking. We hear about the monster being captured and escaping, but never see it. The same is true for anything else that might be of interest. When we are shown the monster, the screen is often too dark to make out what's happening. Likewise, sometimes the audio is so poorly rendered the listener must strain to hear what's being said (and then they'll wonder why they even bothered). In one scene sure to induce eye rolls, instead of an actual phone ringing we hear an actor voicing a quick "bbbrrrr" imitation before pretending to answer it.
Supposedly the guys at Mystery Science Theater 3000, who featured this film in 1993, considered this to officially be the worst film they ever did on the show. If you must see this film, I strongly suggest you do so with their company, as even with their colorful commentary Monster A-Go Go is a torturous test of endurance.
1965, Horror, Horror's Worst Films, Monster A-Go Go, Movie Review
2 thoughts on "Horror's "Worst" Films – Monster A-Go Go (1965)"
Horror's "Worst" Films: Tasteless Entertainment or Endurance Test? – The Revenant Review
Horror's "Worst" Films – Monster A-Go Go (1965) — The Revenant Review | The HorrorCast


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Crooked meadow, ruined castle
Mar 11. 2019
Rising from a promontory along the Vlatva River, Rozmberk Castle provides enchanting views of Cesky Krumlov, nestled in the forested hills of Southern Bohemia./Photo by Carlton Cole
By CARLETON COLE
SPECIAL TO THE NATION
Humanity's wildly meandering spirit is checked by nature in Cesky Krumlov, deep in the heart of Bohemia
No river should know its own destiny. The Danube and Vlatva course for a stretch along roughly parallel paths through the enchanting forestland of their common source. That region sprawls throughout the hilly borderlands of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Yet these rivers never meet.
While the majestic Danube flows through or alongside 10 countries before emptying into the Black Sea, across from the shore of the Middle East, the much shorter Vlatva flows through the Czech Republic alone.
Careening with an intensity just shy of leaving behind oxbow lakes, this river – named for "wild water" – creates two particularly beautifully arched, rounded bends, inspiring the homage "crooked meadow", a perception reflected in the name of the picturesque town along them – Cesky Krumlov.
Two dramatic twists in the Vlatva ("Wild Water") River give shape to Cesky Krumlov.
Exquisitely framed by part of Central Europe's largest contiguous area of wilderness, where the Bohemian and Bavarian forests intermingle and fly along mountain ridges that soon encounter the Carpathians, this charmingly medieval town is best beheld from Rozmberk Castle.
The second-largest fortress in the land after Prague Castle is topped with a crenelated neo-gothic tower visible from all around. Peering down on this gem sparkling to life along cobblestone lanes surrounded by gently rolling countryside, the fairytale nature of Cesky Krumlov is unavoidable.
The red and black roofs of storied old buildings across town fade into greenness on the distant horizon, which is punctuated only by the ethereal steeple of St Vitus Cathedral, named for a national hero and the town's patron saint.
According to legend, the aristocratic antecedents destined to indelibly mark Cesky Krumlov hastily took one of them after the Visigoth invasion of the Eternal City in 546 AD. After a few centuries, some of their descendents in time crossed the Danube, disrupted the rule of local rulers, and in the mid-13th century began erecting Rozmberk Castle.
Holding the town allowed the Rozmberks to rule nearby lands until modern times.
Refined curiosities of the royal past reveal themselves on a walk through the Castle Museum, through medieval, gothic and baroque and Renaissance detailing, and highlighted in the Hall of the Lords of the Rose, where embroidery, glassware and other fineries reflect the Rozenberks' Catholic mores.
Making occasional appearances is the family coat of arms, which, besides a rose, features the severed head of a Turk, one of his eyes being eaten by a crow.
The most disturbing threat these days isn't the possibility of a Turkish invasion, the bane of southeastern Europe for several centuries. Rather it comes from the tourists taking up Unesco's "call to cameras".
Cesky Krumlov is touted as "an outstanding example of a small central European medieval town whose architectural heritage has remained intact thanks to its peaceful evolution over more than five centuries".
Off-season and off-hours, however, easily affords moments of solitude away from the hordes.
Although plagues devastated the town on and off in the mediaeval period, the lack of the effects of warfare sets the town apart.
Between the Thirty Years War (1618-48) and the 44 years when the Iron Curtain separated Czechoslovakia from natural trade routes into Germany and Austria, the lucky town avoided the worst of war and revolution, allowing its charms to slowly marinate in the Vlatva's embrace.
Cesky Krumlov's ability to dodge the dung heap of history has come with the same profoundly good fortune that delivered representatives of the pope to the surprising conclusion of the Second Defenestration of Prague.
The human waste into which the papal emissaries were flung from a window of Prague Castle – by the Protestants with whom they'd come to negotiate – may have saved their lives. But the affront led to eight million deaths and unimaginable suffering throughout Europe in the Thirty Years War.
The small town's historic streets are ideal for wandering, especially during offpeak hours.
Cesky Krumlov's peaceful persona is eloquent proof that grace happens, at least sometimes.
The town is most charming in its primary public space, Svornosti Square, the peripheral of which is ringed by folksy venues ideal for hearty conversations, dining and drinking.
Above a water fountain at the centre of the square, a Marian column stands silent sentinel to the tragic consequences of the plagues that haunted Europe and indicate the often short and brutish nature of life on earth.
Good-natured conversation flows here with the beer the town has produced for centuries. Riverside, in similar settings, quaffers ogle canoeists returning the favour as they cruise by on the gurgling water that's never far from anywhere in town.
Lazy, blissed-out moments predominate in this Goldilocks-sized, iconic town, replete with narrow lanes, roguish locals, nearby nature and a skyline dramatically defined by a castle tower and a church steeple.
The Vlatva seems to have fulfilled its destiny just by having been graceful enough to inspire the setting for so magical a place as Cesky Krumlov.
The "wild" river is etymologically linked as well to "aqua" and to the "water of life" that is "vodka". While it still goes on to dutifully flowing beneath the Charles Bridge in Prague, it has nothing more to prove. Shortly after experiencing the Czech capital it reveals its true nature as a tributary for the mightier Elbe, the destiny of which lies in Germany and union with the North Sea.
Nine kilometres out of Cesky Krumlov, the intersection of humanity's grandest intentions and nature's often more eloquent plan combine profoundly at Divci Kamen, perched high above the Vlatva in forestland otherwise untouched.
"Girls' Rock" Castle is named for the legend of a young Rozenberk who rounded a corner quickly here while hunting deer, and instead found a young lass to whom he lost his heart.
Although erected around the same time as Rozmberk Castle, it is in a state of disrepair, with no adjacent settlements to show what might have been.
Yet in its ruined state, exposed to the heavens, Divci Kamen takes on a sacred air of vulnerability, of a tributary contribution, reaching a confluence with greater currents known only to the heart.
Bohemia Cesky Krumlov Crooked meadow
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Tennis Buzz
November 12, 1978: first match between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe
November 11, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Extract from On this day in tennis history by Randy Walker
In the first-ever meeting between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, the 19-year-old McEnroe defeats the 22-year-old Borg 6-3 6-3 in the semifinals of the Stockholm Open in Sweden. The loss marks the first-ever professional loss for Borg to a younger player.
The McEnroe-Borg rivalry becomes one of the greatest in the sport as the two titans square off 14 times in all -each player winning 7 times. The two play in four memorable major finals, McEnroe winning 3 of 4 at the 1980 and 1981 US Open and at Wimbledon in 1981. Their epic final at Wimbledon in 1980 is regarded as one of the greatest matches of all-time, Borg winning his fifth consecutive title in a 1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7 8-6 epic.
McEnroe wins the Stockholm singles title the next day, defeating fellow American Tim Gullikson 6-2 6-2 in the final."
Check out what McEnroe had to say about that first match. Extract from his autobiography Serious:
"Some people compare Sampras to Borg. In my mind, there's no comparison. Even though Pete is one of the greatest players, of all time, Borg, by his presence alone, gave a lot back to the game. His story was incredible too: Who could ever have imagined such a player coming out of Sweden, a country of only eight million people, with a sub-Arctic climate?
He was the best athlete I've ever seen on a tennis court – I don't think people realize how good an athlete he was. And the fact is, he had to be, because his game was bizarre, in a way: running back and forth, well behind the baseline, hitting ball after ball after ball until an angle opened up or the other guy missed. It was so side-to-side, compared to my forward-forward-forward, but Bjorn was so fast he could make up for it.
The first time we played – in the semifinals at the Stockholm Open in November 78 – was a perfect scenario for me, because it was on fast indoor, which wasn't well suited to his game, particularly against me. I also think he felt pressure playing me in his hometown, in front of a Swedish crowd who'd gotten excited about the game because of him.
The win in Stockholm was a huge win for me – I was the first player younger than Borg to beat him – but it didn't make me think one bit less of Bjorn. I just felt that I was with the big boys now – and this was the official coronation."
And 34 years later, the two tennis legends still provide entertaining matches. (photos by Tennis Buzz, Optima Open 2012).
Category: ATP, Players, Seniors · Tags: 1978, Bjorn Borg, James Kaplan, John McEnroe, On this day in tennis history, Randy Walker, rivalry, Serious, Stockholm Open, Tim Gullikson
Borotra Cup 2019
Nadal, Djokovic, Lendl, Wilander... they all took part to the 16 and under Summer Cup held each year in Le Touquet. Discover the tennis stars of tomorrow.
#TennisAid
Read the story of #TennisAid charity trip in Uganda
How to buy tickets, visitors' guide, FAQs... stay tuned for more Roland Garros coverage!
Open du Nord 2015
Lower tournaments are a good opportunity to discover young players in the making like Karen Khachanov and Quentin Halys, or some charismatic veteran players like Rudy Coco.


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Blog #exploreKelowna
9 Things You May Not Know About Kelowna's History
By Tourism Kelowna on Oct. 19, 2016
Every community has a unique history and Kelowna is no exception. Now a lively and modern lakeside city, Kelowna's rural past is still ever-present in its landmarks, traditions, and culture.
Here are 9 things you might not know about Kelowna's history:
1. How Kelowna got its name
Photo: Andrew Stuckey
Kelowna is the Okanagan First Nation word for "grizzly bear". Legend says a group of Okanagan First Nation once stumbled across a fur-clad, whiskered settler emerging from his underground home. The hunters saw him as a "Kim-ach-Touch" or brown bear. The story quickly passed through the community and in 1892 town planners looking for a name for the settlement decided on "Kelowna"
2. Ancient peoples
The Okanagan Valley's first people were the Syilx, who are believed to have arrived in the British Columbia Interior from the north. The Syilx were self-reliant, hunting and gathering for food, clothing and shelter and flourished throughout the region. The Syilx remain proud inhabitants of the Okanagan and a partner in sustaining the Valley's environment, economy and culture.
3. Kelowna's first settlers
Father Charles Pandosy established the first European settlement in the Kelowna area in 1859. He founded the Okanagan Mission and set up a church and school. He was as much a farmer as a missionary, though, and the mission became known for its farm animals and crops. Today the Father Pandosy Mission is a B.C. Heritage Site jointly administered by the Okanagan Historical Society and the Catholic Church and open to the public.
4. Before trains, there were steamships
Photo: Lake Country Museum
With steep slopes and rough terrain on either side of Okanagan Lake, the preferred form of transportation in the Valley was by water. The Canadian Pacific Railway took advantage of that by putting the S.S. Aberdeen, a stern wheel steamer, on the lake in 1893. The Aberdeen could carry 250 passengers and up to 180 tonnes of cargo. It travelled between Okanagan Landing near Vernon to Kelowna and on to Penticton. The Aberdeen was one of three steam wheelers on Okanagan Lake and was decommissioned in 1916.
Fun fact: the steam wheelers used to take people from one side of the lake to parties on the other side. And sometimes, the lake would freeze over, trapping the party goers on the frozen-in boat.
5. Eventually trains came to Myra Canyon
Photo: Sylvia Currie
With an early 20th-century mining boom, Canadian Pacific Railway saw an opportunity to link B.C. Interior mining communities with Lower Mainland ports in New Westminster and Vancouver. A section of track was planned between Midway, deep in the B.C. Interior, to Hope on the Coquihalla Pass. Part of that track would traverse Myra Canyon, a wide, deep chasm located just east of Kelowna. CPR engineers would span the canyon using wooden trestles and tunnels to hang 11 km of track on its edge. The railway was completed in 1916 and operated until 1972. Today the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society maintains the Myra Canyon trail for public use, and it remains one of Kelowna and the Okanagan's most popular attractions.
6. Tobacco was once the pride of Kelowna
Photo: Karoly Lorentey
Although renowned for its fruit, farm crops and wine industry, Kelowna was once home to a thriving tobacco industry as well. The Okanagan climate and fertile soil appeared ideal to grow tobacco imported from Cuba and two factories were established. At its peak, the industry produced upwards of 800,000 cigars annually. Eventually, though, stiff competition from Ontario forced the industry's demise.
7. From humble beginnings . . .
Bernard Avenue, 1909. Photo: KelownaBC.com
Kelowna was incorporated as a city in 1905 with a population of about 600. Electricity came to Kelowna three years later. Over a century later, Kelowna's population was estimated at 122,000 in 2014, making it BC's fourth largest city.
8. The first bridge between Kelowna and Westbank
Photo: Bob B.
In 1958, construction of a floating bridge across Lake Okanagan was completed, linking Kelowna to the communities of Westbank to the west and Peachland and Summerland to the south. At the time, the bridge, with an overall length of 1.4 km., was the longest floating bridge in Canada. It was replaced by the William R. Bennett Bridge in May 2008 (pictured above). The new bridge is also unique, with an elevated deck resting on a series of floating pontoons.
9. Kelowna is the birthplace of the BC wine industry
Over 80 years ago, Calona Wines got their start producing apple wines, heavily fortified berry wines, and sacramental wine before transitioning to more European-style wines in the 1970s. Pioneers from the very early days, not only is Calona Wines the oldest winery in BC and BC's first commercial winery, it's also the first BC winery to produce single-vineyard wines through their award-winning Sandhill label.
Article originally published May 21, 2015 on Kelowna in Awesome.
Categories: Tour & Explore
Tags: History, Kelowna History, BC Wine


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Total Direct Payments
Roosevelt County, New Mexico
Pick a county New Mexico State Total Bernalillo County, New Mexico Catron County, New Mexico Chaves County, New Mexico Cibola County, New Mexico Colfax County, New Mexico Curry County, New Mexico DeBaca County, New Mexico Dona Ana County, New Mexico Eddy County, New Mexico Grant County, New Mexico Guadalupe County, New Mexico Harding County, New Mexico Hidalgo County, New Mexico Lea County, New Mexico Lincoln County, New Mexico Los Alamos County, New Mexico Luna County, New Mexico McKinley County, New Mexico Mora County, New Mexico Otero County, New Mexico Quay County, New Mexico Rio Arriba County, New Mexico Roosevelt County, New Mexico Sandoval County, New Mexico San Juan County, New Mexico San Miguel County, New Mexico Santa Fe County, New Mexico Sierra County, New Mexico Socorro County, New Mexico Taos County, New Mexico Torrance County, New Mexico Union County, New Mexico Valencia County, New Mexico New Mexico NRCS
Pick a district 1st District of New Mexico (Rep. Debra Haaland) 2nd District of New Mexico (Rep. Xochitl Torres Small) 3rd District of New Mexico (Rep. Ben Lujan)
Total Direct Payments in Roosevelt County, New Mexico totaled $35.2 million from 1995-2020‡.
Programs included in Total Direct Payments
Direct Payment - Wheat $10,877,923
Direct Payment - Sorghum $8,923,362
Direct Payment - Peanuts $6,892,136
Direct Payment - Corn $4,542,585
Direct Payment - Upland Cotton $3,915,675
Direct Payment - Barley $19,965
Direct Payment - Soybeans $3,222
Direct Payment - Oats $2,209
Direct Payment - Late Fees $-2,500


Gaming is the thread of life that has always kept us stay connected with our inner child at all ages of life. Put a person on a 2-D Mario Brothers game console today and they will definitely have the experience of a lifetime!
Talking about gaming, it has come a long way from the 2-D version of Mario Brothers now. Over the years, not only the gaming industry has grown in its popularity, it has evolved so much based on the technology used. People can have a more personalized experience while playing a game, irrespective of the device being played on.
Let us take Pokémon GO as an example. The mobile device based game took off the gaming community by storm when people could actually interact with the characters in the real world. For the first time, they used the physical space around them to interact with characters in the game. This was revolutionary! The game was in the real world around us.
Augmented Reality helps you add a layer of digital information on top of the existing real world. This virtual information can be accessed with the help of a simple viewing device such as our smartphones. As mentioned earlier, Pokémon GO was one of the world's first and successful AR enable games out there.
Gathering data from games such as these, combined with the general public reviews the verdict is out. People love Augmented Reality! Not only does AR-enabled games help provide a more interactive experience, but chances are also you would not be lazing around on one spot for hours if you are playing one.
Most AR-enabled games use the environment around us to generate stimuli of responsive characters and structures. This makes the experience more immersive and the retention of a gamer is increased by a much higher percentage.
Unlike traditional games, AR-enabled games bring our children back into the real world. There is a certain sense of joy and satisfaction achieved from manipulating a physical object by pulling, pinching and moving it around. AR-enabled future toys are the next generation toys which have paved the path for the revolution in gaming technology.
Interactive games – Provides a seamless gaming experience in which the mobile screen transforms the cube depending on the place, person and context.
Incentivized platform – Companies use a combination of in-game and real-world rewards to engage users, retain them and drive sales.
Overall, the future looks bright and AR will only add to the interaction we have with our games in today's world.


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Formafantasma for Lexus @ Salone Milan 2016
Design News / Motor Vehicles / Salone Milan 2016 / Sustaining / Technology
For Milan Design Week 2016, Amsterdam based, Italian design duo Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin aka Formafantasma teamed up with Lexus to launch an exciting exhibition made up of 3 installations, entitled 'An Encounter with Anticipation'.
'Anticipation and transparency', the theme of the installation, conveys the aesthetics behind Lexus' forward-looking vision through subtle nuances of colour, light and form.
These themes include the development and evolution of ecological technology for application in mobility, as well as the fusion of machine and craftsmanship.
The exhibition was held at the industrial interiors space of Lexus – Torneria in Milan, a former metal factory.
The space was softly illuminated using several light boxes referencing traditional Japanese architecture and the origins of the Lexus brand.
The exhibition combines contemporary finishes — like car paint, cast resin and stainless steel — with traditional materials like cotton fabric and pine wood.
Translucent walls and doors inspired made from paper fixed over a lattice frame of wood allow light to pass through (by Japanese shoji) were used throughout the exhibition space.
This reflects an age-old Japanese aesthetic and also reveals shadows or shapes of people outside the room, allowing one to anticipate a guest's arrival and prepare to welcome them in the spirit of OMOTENASHI.
The event led the visitor to discover the essence of craftsmanship of the Japanese brand, observing how technology and the stylistic approach are translated into an experience which is both aesthetic and emotional: anticipating the dreams and social demands, the exhibition conveys the way Lexus imagines the future, giving the public new form able to surprise and amaze.
In the first and largest space, Formafantasma draws from the LEXUS LF-FC concept by using advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology to power a kinetic light installation.
Ranging in height from 2 to 6 meters, the four stainless steel sculptural objects move slowly, creating a subtle choreography atop a highly reflective pink platform they are situated on. tanks located under the platform supply the hydrogen used by the fuel cell stacks to produce electricity to illuminate the kinetic lights.
The second space, which hosts the annual LEXUS design award, features a series of 16 metal stools whose simple form highlights their glossy finish — the same paint process applied to the LF-FC automobile.
The technique involves a sophisticated method of layering colours by hand and a machine that is based on traditional Japanese lacquering techniques, resulting in a subtle, yet complex tone that appears either dark grey or blue depending on the light of the surrounding environment.
Finally, after visiting Lexus' headquarters in japan, Formafantasma decided to base the design of the installation for the third space on the brand's heritage, which can be traced back to Japan's early mechanized textile industry.
In homage to these early roots, a loom-like machine pulls and releases thousands of threads that, when stretched, recreate a three-dimensional outline of the LF-FC.
Placed in the centre of a room with walls inspired by Japanese shoji, the floating image of the concept car takes shape in an unexpected way.
Culinary Partnership – Yoji Tokuyoshi
In keeping with Lexus' tradition of supporting talents in a diverse range of creative fields, the exhibition space also hosts a food tasting by one of Milan's most celebrated chefs and the creative force at the Ristorante Tokuyoshi, Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi.
To compliment the physical designs of the installation, Tokuyoshi brings an impressive experience to bear on the project, through two culinary creations based on the theme of water.
Tokuyoshi focused on the fact that the only waste product produced by the technology is water.
He also sought to capture the spirit of Omotenashi, the finest qualities of Japanese hospitality that Lexus references in the design of its luxury vehicles.
" Looking at the LF-FC concept car and getting to understand how the fuel cell makes use of hydrogen energy, I came to realise how Lexus envisions this as the right technology for the future. So I decided to make water the motif to create something amazing that can be integrated into the installation ." ……. Yoji Tokuyoshi
Creation 1 – Buoyancy
The first tasting experience Lexus's visitors will enjoy is "Buoyancy", which expresses the energy water has, both to sustain life and to carry objects over vast distances.
The dish uses water and a floating herbal leaf to deliver a surprising taste sensation.
Creation 2 – Transparency
Tokuyoshi's second creation for Lexus is "Transparency".
Here he uses ingredients to produce a dish that can serve as a metaphor for something that might be seen, or remain imperceptible, depending on the viewer's perspective.
What might appear at first to be a clear soup in fact delivers a unique, delightful and unexpected experience for the palate.
The concept echoes the way Lexus envisions how the future might deliver experiences that excite and surprise.
About Formafantasma
Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin are Studio Formafantasma, an Italian designer duo based in Amsterdam.
Since graduating the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2009, they have developed a coherent body of work characterized by experimental materials investigations and explored such issues as the relationship between tradition and local culture, critical approaches to sustainability and the significance of objects as cultural conduits.
In distinguishing their role as a link between craft, industry, object and user, they are interested in forging links between their research-based practice and a wider design industry and as a result have been commission by a variety of partners.
Their work has been published internationally as well as a multiple of museums all over the world have all acquired Fromafantasma's designs for their permanent collections.
About the Yoji Tokuyoshi
Yoji Tokuyoshi is unanimously recognized as one of the most innovative chefs in Milan
Born in Japan, he studied the kitchen in his home country before making the move to Italy where he commenced work at the Modena based restaurant, Osteria Francescana, where he worked as the Sous Chef alongside restaurateur and head chef Massimo Bottura.
During his 10 years at Osteria Francescana, the restaurant earnt its 2nd and 3rd Michelin stars and became globally recognised, being listed in the top 5 at The World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards since 2010.
Osteria Francescana was ranked 2nd World's Best Restaurant at the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2015.
Yoji left Osteria Francescana in 2014 to travel the world in search of a location to open up his own restaurant.
After visiting countless countries and cities, Yoji opened Ristorante Tokuyoshi in Milan.
Ristorante Tokuyoshi is based on a new idea: "Cucina Italian Wasteland ", a unique reinterpretation of Italian gastronomic tradition.
The counter in the heart of the new restaurant allows diners to be in direct contact with the chefs – mirroring the great restaurants of Japan.
The technique and creativity of Tokuyoshi offer a unique culinary experience and as a result, the restaurant received its first Michelin star, just 10 months after opening its doors.
Lexus [pt 2/2] @ Salone Milan 2017
The Lexus YET exhibition was held at La Triennale di Milano, the Design and Art Museum in Parco Sempione, Milan.
This event marked the tenth edition for Lexus International at Milan Design Week, highlighting the brand's long standing passion for design and innovation
Milano Design Award Winners @ Salone Milan 2016
Now in its sixth year, the Milan Design Award has become one of the most anticipated moments of Milan Design Week.
Dedicated to the most interesting installations of the week, the award goes to a designer or team whose work combines design, performance, technology and entertainment.
The Restaurant by Tom Dixon @ Salone Milan 2016
THE RESTAURANT is a series of 4 extraordinary Caeserstone kitchens and dining halls designed by Tom Dixon, arrayed in a cruciform setting within the beautiful Baroque splendour of the Rotonda Della Besana
The four basic elements of Air, Water, Earth and Fire give each kitchen and dining hall a clear aesthetic, materiality and cooking method.
Throughout the week visitors will be encouraged to sit down, slow down and re-calibrate.
Alcantara Magic Hotel @ Salone Milan 2016
Newly inaugurated, the Alcantara Magic Hotel is a project by Gentucca Bini who covered a building under renovation, along the famous Milan pedestrian road
Using 200 square metres of soft Alcantara, she reproduced the façade of a real hotel where 2D elements join three-dimensional ones, such as the central balcony and some window shutters, thus producing a highly realistic effect.
Lee Broom – Salone del Automobile @ Salone Milan 2016
British product and interior designer, Lee Broom, probably just made the most intricate pun of all time with his "Salone del Automobile" installation – a lighting and interior installation set inside of a delivery van that he drove from East London to Milan for Salone del Mobile.
"Last year in Milan I went to lots of exhibitions that were all about the palazzo and everyone was talking about that," Broom explains in the movie. "I thought, why don't I create my own, but I'll create a mini palazzo inside a vehicle."
What's the Matter @ Salone Milan 2016
With the scenography skills of Studio Laviani, Frame Magazines transformed La Posteria in Milan's Brera district into an immersive exhibition that stimulates – and sometimes even tricks – the senses.
Salone visitors enjoyed an experiential exhibition featuring designers alongside prominent brands presenting design explorations for a Phygital future.
Always question why you're doing something, unless you are being paid a ridiculous amount of money, then really question it.
- James Irvine -
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"What holds my attention is variety"
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Water! Water!
Published On: June 27, 2018 02:00 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal
Melamchi project
Come to think of it. A Chinese development company built a 57-storey tower in just 19 days in Changsha, Hunan Province in southern China in 2015. Gotthard Base Tunnel of Switzerland—the world's longest and deepest rail tunnel that cut through the mountains in Switzerland—opened in 2016 moving rail cars of passengers and freight between Zurich, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy. The longest project was completed within the matter of around 20 years. South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China, the largest canal project of the world, which started in 2003, was completed in 2014—in 11 years. It began transferring water to China's arid northern regions, including Beijing. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge of China, started in 2009, is set to open soon. These are some examples of how countries elsewhere bring even the largest of the projects to completion with rigorous work in a relatively short time.
Given that Nepal has several constraints to complete the big projects on time—from budgetary and human resource and bureaucratic hurdles. But even by Nepali way of working it must be said the speed with which we work on vital projects is woefully slow. Our commitment to complete them on time has remained limited to speeches and on paper works, so much so that people hardly believe they will ever see mega projects getting completed within their lifetime. This is so with Melamchi Drinking Water Project, which started over two decades ago. And what we get to hear from project officers and government minister is that 'this time it won't be delayed anymore.' Minister for Water Supply Bina Magar reiterated this promise on Monday. She has assured that Melamchi water will reach Kathmandu by the end of September this year.
According to the minister, a fresh agreement has been reached with a high-level team from the Italian contractor Co-operativa Muratori e Cementisti di Revennna (CMC), which had halted work demanding compensation payment of Rs 1.65 billion for delays due to 2015 earthquake and Indian blockade. The contractor, we have been told, has also agreed to complete the work in the next three months. But there is no reason to be confident. There are lots of tasks to be completed, including concrete work on about 19 km out of the 27 km tunnel and building a temporary dam to divert water of Melamchi. Melamchi water has truly made fun of Valley people who are breathing in dusts and bearing with chaotic road digging in the hope that they will finally be delivered fresh water from Melamchi. In between, pledges after pledges have been made, deadlines have been set and missed, and all that we get to hear in the end is one or other excuse in defense of delay. The government machineries must constantly prod the contractors to ensure that remaining works will be completed by September as promised. Kathmandu residents are sick of hearing one after other promise since the project was launched in the early 90s. They are not ready to hear another excuse. They want the water in their taps, and soon.
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Government House, located on Government Hill in Central, Hong Kong, is the official residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. It was constructed in 1855 as a Colonial Renaissance-style building, but was significantly remodelled during the Japanese occupation, resulting in the current hybrid Japanese-neoclassical form.

Government House was the official residence of the Governor from 1855 to 1997, when the territory was under British rule. Of the 28 governors of Hong Kong, 25 used this building as their official residence.

Located between Upper Albert Road and Lower Albert Road, Mid-Levels, Central, Government House is on a  plot of land. Its front elevation faces south towards the Peak, while right below its northern part are the former Central Government Offices (currently the Justice Place).

Government House is a declared monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

History/Timeline

Government House was designed by Charles St George Cleverly. Construction started in 1851, eight years after Hong Kong became a British colony, and took four years to complete. The first Governor to live there was Sir John Bowring, the fourth Governor of the territory. The last one was the last Governor, Chris Patten.

Government House also housed the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1855 to the 1930s. The Council used the ballroom from 1891 onward

During the Japanese occupation during the Second World War (1941–1945), it was occupied by the Japanese Military Governor. The form of the building was changed to a hybrid Japanese/neoclassical image by Seichi Fujimura (藤村正一 Fujimura Seiichi) in 1944, primarily through the addition of a tower and roof elements.

On 16 September 1945, the Instrument of Surrender was signed at Government House.

The Japanese fittings of Government House were removed in 1946, but the tower remains to this day.

During 1947 to 1957, two sculptured stone lions were erected at the entrance.

During 1971 to 1982, a kidney-shaped swimming pool was built in the garden.

During 1982 to 1986, an ornamental pool with a fountain was created at the foot of the main stairs leading down from the north Veranda.

During 1987 to 1992, a small pergola on the lower terrace was erected and the water feature of the main garden staircase was converted into an impressive planter.

Government House was declared a monument in 1995 under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

After the handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China in 1997, the House became a reception for ceremonies (such as the conferring of Honours and formal banquets). Tung Chee Hwa, the first chief executive, did not reside in Government House but rather at Grenville House.

During 1997 to 2005, a bonsai gallery was introduced in the Veranda.

Donald Tsang, the second Chief Executive, moved into Government House in January 2006, following extensive renovations. The Standard criticised that the renovation cost was estimated at HK$14.5 million, including a sum of HK$300,000 allocated to a new fish pond designed to accommodate Tsang's collection of koi.

During 2005 to 2012, an outdoor fish pond was added in the back garden.

During 2012 to 2017, three-bin composting system was added in the back garden.

In 2017, one of the tennis courts was converted into a Landscaped Area.

In 2022, HK$2.8 million was spent to renovate the house, before John Lee moved in.

Major features

Exterior
The main entrance of the house faces south towards Victoria Peak. Down on the northern side is the Former Central Government Offices, where most government secretariat offices were situated until 2011.

The carriage porch at the front with granite frames is a notable architectural feature of Government House

The exterior of Government House is plastered in Art Deco style. Government House has its unique character and historical meanings with a blend of different architectural styles added on over more than a century.

Garden
Government House has a front lawn and a back garden with dazzling flowers. Originally planted in 1919, the multi-coloured azaleas bloom every spring. There is also a rare species of tree, Brownea grandiceps (Rose of Venezuela), originating from South America and listed in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Seven metres tall, with a crown spread of nine metres, this tree has been maintained in superb condition by the dedicated horticultural staff. Indeed, there are many mature trees on the grounds. Among those trees stands the giant Litchi chinensis.

The garden also features a kidney-shaped swimming pool and an outdoor fish pond.

Interior
Ballroom - The Ballroom is used for hosting banquets for guests from home and abroad. It is also the venue for the Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony and various community engagement activities.

Dining Room - The Dining Room is used for banquets of smaller scale for guests from home and abroad.

Drawing Room - The Drawing Room is used for receiving guests and holding meetings. Its walls and ceilings are embellished with exquisite plaster mouldings.

Gate Lodges and Government House Guards
At the front entrance on Upper Albert Road, there are two buildings with an iron gate known as the Gate Lodges. Built in 1855, they are the oldest structures of Government House. They were designed by Surveyor General Charles St. George Cleverly who was in charge of the construction of the first generation of Government House in the 1850s. The lodges once housed the Government House Guards, who stood in front of the house and protected the Governor of Hong Kong. Various units of the British Army stationed in Hong Kong were used as guard units.

 1st Battalion of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment 1962-63
 C Company of the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment Berkshire and Wiltshire

Following the handover in 1997, officers of the Hong Kong Police have guarded the building.

Open days

The garden of Government House is opened twice a year to the public. At least one will be arranged in spring to enable members of the public to share the delight in viewing the full bloom of the azaleas. Visitors are usually allowed to pass by the drawing room, dining room and ballroom where key official functions are held.

The open days are generally arranged during weekends. Dates are announced through press releases one week in advance. No admission fee is charged.

Booking
The ballroom of Government House was made available in the 1990s on three Fridays each month for bookings by charitable, non-profit or public organisations to host events that benefit the community. The nature of the event under application must be well-matched with the identity of Government House as an important historical monument of Hong Kong and with its status as a dignified location for the Hong Kong Government to hold official functions. In early 2006, the Chief Executive moved into Government House and used it as official residence and office. Most of the staff in the Chief Executive's Office have also been relocated to Government House to support the Chief Executive. Since then, Government House is no longer available for booking due to security and operational reasons.

Other official residences
In 1900, Mountain Lodge, on Victoria Peak, was built as an alternate summer home for the Governor, a role it retained until 1934. The building survived until 1946, but today only the Gate Lodge and Victoria Peak Garden remain. One of three "GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE" marking stones of the former Mountain Lodge was erected in the small flower bed in front of the entrance of the Government House in 1980.

From 1934, Fanling Lodge, in the New Territories, was used as a summer residence for the Governor. It has retained this role, and is now the alternative residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. The Lodge is occupied mainly at weekends and on holidays.

Feng shui
According to The New York Times, alleged bad feng shui was the reason Tung Chee Hwa refused to live or work in Government House upon becoming Chief Executive. During his terms as Chief Executive, he was still heavily criticised by Hong Kongers, and his popularity fell well below 40% by the time of his resignation.

The Standard believed Tung's reason to stay away from the mansion was political: a subtle effort to reduce the age-old British legacy over Hong Kong. Other sources mention that "it was the warning about spying devices [installed throughout Government House] that scared him away".

Staff
There are 20 housekeeping positions at the house. The senior chef is paid around HK$30,000 per month.

See also

 Government House
 Government Houses of the British Empire
 Governor of Hong Kong
 History of Hong Kong
 List of buildings and structures in Hong Kong
 List of official residences

References

External links

 Government House, official website
 Government House , Hong Kong Antiquities and Monuments Office

Declared monuments of Hong Kong
Landmarks in Hong Kong
Central, Hong Kong
Official residences in Hong Kong
Government buildings in Hong Kong
Government Hill
Government Houses of the British Empire and Commonwealth
Houses completed in 1855
Official residences of subnational executives
Imperial Crown Style architecture


Julia Pels is an LA based lesbian stand up comedian, storyteller, and LGBTQA activist. She performs in the independent comedy scene frequently and has also done (larger) shows at The Comedy Store, The Ice House, and The Hollywood Improv.
A: I have always been on stage dancing/singing/ acting. So I am very comfortable up there. I discovered that I wanted to do stand up last year. I realized that doing stand up allowed me to be my most authentic self versus playing a character in a play.
Q: What's the worst joke you've ever heard?
A: The worst joke I've ever heard was that you're not a "real" lesbian unless you wear flannel. It wasn't very creative.
Q: What's a typical set of yours like (at a comedy show)?
A: I don't have only one way of doing a set or "typical" set, each time is different. Sometimes I will do bits that I have been doing for a while, other times I will take a subject and improv the material on stage. It all depends on my mood and vibe of the show.
Q: Do you always reveal the fact that you're a lesbian whenever you do a show?
A: I don't always "reveal" that I'm a lesbian in my sets, although I think it's come up in some way in every show. I talk about my relationships and things that are so personal, the audience ends up knowing without me directly telling them.
Q: Describe the first time you "came out" to an audience, everything that led up to it, and how you felt afterwards.
A: I honestly don't remember it. I had weaved it into my set just like anything else and it felt normal. I didn't feel like I had to "present" it as something. It was just part of me, like anything else that makes me who I am. I felt safe and comfortable performing about it all around!
Q: What are the best and worst parts of being a comedian?
A: Best part of being a comedian is that I get to be authentic about my human experience and also connect to the human condition in that way… that we are more connected than we think. The worst part for me is the loneliness I sometimes feel. You do a lot of things alone, which isn't bad. I love my alone time, but sometimes it's tough. The nights alone writing, performing, driving to shows, analyzing, always kind of in your own head. But that's what the stage is for. I get up and allow all of it to pour out of me. I feel love and the joy of the truth of it all.
Julia produces and hosts her own show, "Killer Unicorns," which is a hybrid stand up/storytelling show. It runs every fourth Sunday of the month at The Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Cafe at 7pm. Find her on Instagram and twitter @queercomedian and find @killerunicorns on those platforms as well.


Iron Hands – The Revival!!!
Howdy everyone, Professor Severus here again. I picked up a copy of Angels of Death today, and I have to say, it has got the Iron Hands fires stoked again! I had always had trouble taking my 6th edition Clan Sorrgol force and making it work well in the 7th edition codex. Fortunately, the Fist of Medusa detachment from Angels of Death opens up a few build options.
The other addition from Angels of Death that really fired me was the new psychic disciplines. Technomancy. It is so perfect for Iron Hands. I never really had an urge to get a librarian until I read those rules. But an entire discipline about a librarian working with or against machines is to perfect to pass up.
So, I set out to right a goal list. The list needed to meet the following requirements. It needs to be built within the new Fist of Medusa detachment. It needs to incorporate a librarain. It needs to use the bulk of models I already have, as the rest of my hobby budget is focused towards 30k for the year. Lastly, I wanted to up the competitiveness of the list. I want this list to be able to hold it's own in a tournament. It doesn't have to win, just not loose the majority of the games.
The list totals 1850 on the nose. It meets the requirements I set out. The only models I need to add are the foot librarian, the bike librarian, one ironcald dread, and 2 lascannon marines. It has more competitive edge with the chapter master on bike and the librarius. It presents some conversion opportunities through the bike librarian.
Rules wise, this thing gets tons of buffs. All Iron Hands get +1 feel no pain when within 12 of an independent character and all vehicles gain power of the machine spirit when within 12 of an independent character. The biker chapter master and librarian should give me some mobility to take advantage of those rules. I can call a single tactical doctrine thanks to the demi-company. The troops all get objective secured. The librarius conclave will hopefully be able to give some nice buffs to the devestators (casting on a 3+), while the biker tried to give +1 toughness to the bikers or mess with near by vehicles.
So, what do you think? Sound like a decent list to aim for? I am excited to try it out, but it will probably take a few months to build up to. In the mean time, I may experiment with a few other lists options that I can build. They will probably be built using a combined arms detachment. Until next time, this is Professor Severus saying have a good one and take it easy.


1.Isoelectric Separation of α-Amylase Inhibitors from Phaseolus vulgaris Cultivar Tora and Their Their Characteristics.
2.Survey and properties of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an urban living enviroment.
3.Effects of the nursing home system on subjective sleep quality and bed climate of residents.


text:
Борис Алексеевич Родионов (1928—1998) — советский государственный деятель и инженер-конструктор, создатель ракетно-космической техники, участник осуществления запуска Первого в Мире искусственного спутника Земли — космического аппарата «Спутник-1» (1957) и участник подготовки и осуществления первого в мире полёта космического корабля-спутника Восток с человеком на борту (1961). Лауреат Государственной премии СССР (1983). Почётный гражданин города Королёва (1995)

Биография
Родился 19 августа 1928 года в Туле в семье служащих.

Образование
С 1947 по 1951 год обучался в Тульском политехническом техникуме по окончании которого получил среднее техническое образование. С 1951 по 1956 год обучался во Всесоюзном заочном политехническом институте, по окончании которого получил специальность инженера-электрика.

В ОКБ-1 — ЦКБЭМАШ и участие в создании ракетно-космической техники
С 1947 по 1967 год на научно-исследовательской работе в Специальном конструкторском бюро НИИ-88 ((с 1950 года — ОКБ-1, с 1966 года — Центральное конструкторское бюро экспериментального машиностроения)  работал под руководством С. П. Королёва в должностях: конструктор третий категории, старший техник,  инженер, старший инженер, заместитель руководителя группы и руководителем группы.

Б. А. Родионов был участником разработки технической и конструкторской документации для первых баллистических ракет дальнего действия, в том числе первой баллистической ракеты малой дальности «Р-1», блоков «И» и «Л» третий и четвёртой  ступеней первых космических аппаратов  ракеты-носителя Р-7, первых и последующих искусственных спутников Земли и пилотируемых космических кораблей, в том числе первого в Мире космического аппарата «Спутник-1» в 1957 году и осуществления первого в мире полёта космического корабля-спутника «Восток» с человеком на борту в 1961 году. Б. А. Родионов был одним из руководителей работ по созданию и экспериментальной отработке новых специальных и композиционных материалов и применения этих  технологий и материалов для изделий ракетно-космической техники.

Во главе города Королева и ЦНИИ материаловедения
С 1967 года Б. А. Родионов был направлен на партийную работу и был избран на должность секретаря Калининградского горкома КПСС, с 1968 по 1975 год был избран — первым секретарём Калининградского городского комитета КПСС и являлся руководителем города в течение семи лет.

С 1975 по 1981 год Б. А. Родионов был назначен — директором Центрального научно-исследовательского института материаловедения Министерства общего машиностроения СССР.

В РКК «Энергии»
С 1981 по 1998 год вновь работал в РКК «Энергия» в должностях заместителя генерального директора Ведущего Конструкторского бюро и с 1992 по 1998 год — главный консультант РКК «Энергия».

Б. А. Родионов принимал непосредственное участие в создании пилотируемых орбитальных научных станций, осуществлявших полёты в околоземном космическом пространстве с космонавтами и в автоматическом режиме — «Салют» и «Мир», а также в создании многоразовой транспортной космической системы «Энергия — Буран».

В 1983 году «закрытым» Постановлением ЦК КПСС и СМ СССР «За вклад в разработку ракетно-космической техники» Б. А. Родионов был удостоен Государственной премии СССР.

Скончался 22 апреля 1998 года в Москве, похоронен на Невзоровском кладбище Московской области.

Награды
 Орден Октябрьской Революции (1990)
 Орден Трудового Красного Знамени (1974)
 двумя орденами «Знак Почёта» (1961, 1971)
 Медаль «За трудовое отличие» (1957)
 Медаль «В ознаменование 100-летия со дня рождения Владимира Ильича Ленина» (1970).

Премии
 Государственная премия СССР (1983)

Звания
 Почётный гражданин города Королёва (1995)

Примечания

Литература
 Космонавтика и ракетостроение России: биографическая энциклопедия : А-Я / сост.: М. А. Первов. - Москва : Федеральное космическое агентство : Столичная энциклопедия, 2011. — 742 с. — ISBN 978-5-903989-11-9
 Калининград - Королев. К Космическим высотам — из глубины веков / Р. Д. Позамантир, Л. К. Бондаренко. - 2. изд., доп. -  : Рус. история, 2003. — 303 с. — ISBN 5-87126-015-2
 Ракетно-космическая корпорация "Энергия" имени С. П. Королева 1946—1996 / Подгот. А. П. Александров и др. - Королев: Ракет.-косм. корпорация "Энергия", 1996. — 670 с.
 Ракеты и люди (в 4-х тт.) / Черток Б. Е.  Лунная гонка — : Машиностроение, 1999. — 2-е изд. — 538 с.

Выпускники Московского государственного открытого университета имени В. С. Черномырдина
Почётные граждане Королёва
Главы Королёва
Сотрудники РКК «Энергия»
Сотрудники ЦНИИмаш
Секретари Калининградского горкома КПСС (Московская область)


Welcome to A Gift of Health & Healing!
Elaine Thomas opened A Gift of Health in April, 1993. Shelly Oerlemans joined Elaine in September, 2004 and together they opened A Gift of Health in Humble, Texas. On January 1, 2010, after successfully managing and growing the store for 3 years, Shelly became the sole owner. Elaine continues to act as advisor to the store.
Shelly Oerlemans, Owner of A Gift of Health in Humble, Texas.
Shelly is a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Holistic Iridologist who has a passion for learning and researching the most effective means to help her clients reach their health potential.
A successful and experienced nutritional consultant, speaker and educator, her common sense and caring approach is very effective. As a retired police officer, Shelly has the ability to inspire hope and inner resolve as a tool to motivate others in overcoming their health challenges.
An avid runner and weight training enthusiast, Shelly enjoys helping others reach their weight loss and fitness goals. She also serves as a living example of "fitness over fifty"!
Gloria joined A Gift of Health in 2009. With her passion for knowledge, her commitment to customers, and her dedication to excellence, Gloria was promoted to manager in 2014. Gloria is not only a valued member of our staff, but a valued resource for our community as a teacher and speaker – imparting her knowledge and wisdom to the benefit and service of others.
Alice began her relationship with A Gift of Health as a customer seeking help for her vast health challenges. She was asked to join the staff of A Gift of Health in 2011.
When Alice first began visiting A Gift of Health, she was receiving training in the medical field. As she experience life changing help from diet, lifestyle, and the whole body approach (mind, body, spirit) – Alice changed directions and is currently studying to become a Naturopathic Doctor.
Clients are drawn to Alice because of her deep compassion and caring. With a deep thirst for knowledge and desire to help others, Alice has become an invaluable member of the A Gift of Health family.
Wendy brings an emphasis on the importance of knowledge. With a Masters Degree in Education, Bachelors degree in Pastoral Counseling, and her 15 year career as a High School Teacher, she brings many unique attributes to A Gift of Health. In addition, Wendy is a Certified Holistic Iridologist.
Wendy is available for private consultations in: Iridology, Temperament Analysis, and Christian Counseling. She also teaches many classes at A Gift of Health.
I am already your client but i would like to stay connected with updates through email. I love your store and your products and above all, your prices are moderate and you keep it affordable which makes it attainable to achieve our health goals!
Shelly – It was great chatting with you today. I look forward to joining the co-op and to spening more time in your store.
Our Store hours are Monday through Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm…and Saturday 10:00 till 4:00p.m.
If you subscribe to our website we will give you a one time 15% off your total order!
I heard about your store from as I know him, Meatless Joe from St. Joseph Church New Waverly, who is also helping Father Kim of our parish. I am chemically dependent and am wanting to free myself from this.
Email me and let me know if I might be able to order the produce, and if you might be able to ship to me out here in New Waverly, TX?
Deborah thank you so much for contacting us at A Gift of Health. We are sorry but we cannot ship produce!
Thanks so much for your help today! I enjoyed my first visit so much! I am looking forward to using all of my new goodies! So thankful that He has provided your store to help us with your needs! Even better being half a mile away! Doctors have given us such little hope and thankful that you are providing the gift of health! Firmly believing that this will help us fight all these female problems I have had for ten years and believing that we will be able to conceive naturally through this process! Looking forward to coming back and getting the false unicorn root in early November!
Thank you Beth for your kind words! I'm so happy that you found our store…and I am looking forward to helping you in the future!
Shelley, do you have organic coffee that I can use for enemas?
Hello, my name is Maricela and a friend told me about this place when she went to visit some friends out in Houston. My question is, do you know of a place like yours here in San Antonio, TX? My friend told me you had her do some kind of scan and she does not remember the name of that scan. My husband suffers frequent migraines and would like help on finding something natural to help with this issue. Nothing has helped take these migraines away, only Excedrin migraine helps ease it but not take away. Please help. Thanks.